Cloverdale postmaster receives statewide honor
William J. White, the current postmaster at Cloverdale, was recently honored and named "Postmaster of the Year" by the Indiana Branch of the National League of Postmasters.
White, 59, Crawfordsville, received the honor at the league's 103rd Convention held at Monroe Lake from May 30-June 1.
The honor was received for White's years of service, both to the U.S. Postal Service and the National League of Postmasters for the state of Indiana.
According to White, roughly 75 postmasters voluntarily attended the convention this year. At the convention, the postmasters vote on state officers, listen to speeches, give out scholarships, and participate in training seminars, among other activities.
On the last day, there is what White called a "grand banquet" where entertainment was provided, awards were given, and new state officers were installed. It was at this banquet that White received his award.
"I was surprised, humbled, and delighted to be recognized by my peers," White said.
White believes he would not have been considered for the award without the help of his wife, who is also a postmaster and a previous recipient of the Postmaster of the Year award.
By receiving the award this year, White will be eligible for the national award to be given at the National Postmaster Convention this July in Las Vegas.
"I'm not nervous, but I will be nervous if they call my name," White said with a laugh.
To prepare for the convention, White must create a scrapbook of his past achievements. It will then be submitted to a committee that will vote on the winner for the national award.
Some of White's past achievements include being a past president of the Indiana Branch of the National League of Postmasters, being both secretary and treasurer of the Indiana branch, and signing over 50 new members throughout his career. Finally, White will celebrate 30 years as a postmaster this June.
"I love my job," White said. "And I try to stay positive about things."
If he wins the national postmaster award, White said, "It will be a surprise and a great honor."